what to do with handkerchiefs

**perSue** · 02-26-2009, 12:49 PM

i have somewhere between 60 and 100 small handkerchiefs that i cannot get rid of (passed down from several generations).

i was initially thinking i could make a quilt of them...
problem: different sizes, shapes, fabrics, some are old/tattered, some are super flimsy/lightweight/thin, some are silk, some are cotton, some are a blend, others i dont even know what to call it! lol
many different patterns, though most have flowers or similar looking to flowers (ie, frilly or scalloped edges).

these were from a deceased mother, aunt and grandmother - all collected and I wanted them as they're beautiful - and at the time, I thought i could make a blanket.

we have enough pillows and blankets around the house... the only other idea i had was a tapestry (as I have a few of those)... but i think it'd end up being odd shaped and not big enough for the tapestry rod I have (which can hold a queen sized quilt easily).

Ideas? Suggestions?
Help!!
TIA

**McD** · 02-26-2009, 01:07 PM

Could you sew them onto bigger quilt blocks and then make the bigger quilt blocks into a quilt?

**perSue** · 02-26-2009, 01:17 PM

i dont know... i have them spread out on the floor now looking at them.
some are moth eaten (holes)... there are just so many variations of size/shapes.
if i were to make a quilt of it, i'd definitely have to apply them to some backing & sew that together... but it's trying to make them all fit! LOL

i have a few that are nylon? you can see right thru them. (they have a nice edging, but it's the middle part that's transparent and quite flimsy!).

good idea & thanks... help me keep thinking

**perSue** · 02-26-2009, 01:21 PM

NEW INFO

okay... with the larger ones - about 12" square - i can make a 5 block by 6 block rectangle... and make a tapestry...

BIG question...
HOW do i go about attaching the squares (hankies) to a solid colour backing?
WHAT type of backing would you recommend/why?

I really dont want to mess up the integrity of these hankies - for obvious reasons. I'm super hesitant to sew them... is there another option? a glue that will last long but not mess up delicate fabrics?
Last resort would be the iron on stuff.

I can probly do the same w/the littler hankies - just a smaller tapestry. I'll keep thinking on that. Not sure yet.

**Grainlady** · 02-26-2009, 01:23 PM

Here's a bunch of hanky crafts...

http://bumblebeelinens.com/allCrafts.php

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 02-26-2009, 02:08 PM

Do you have a window in your kitchen, sewing room or other ? Make a valance with them. Make a sleeve for going over your rod on that window then tack each hankie by a corner to the sleeve. They will drape down nicly and since they aren't laying flat a flaw or hole won't be seen. Since you have so many they will look wonderful.
I'm planning on doing this with the tons of hankies I got from my grandmother who recently passed away. Have all the supplies just haven't had the time. Another UFO here. Saw a picture of a valance done like this in a magazine and it looked great. Now everytime you look out this window you'll think of them. Also have a similar idea for an apron out of the recent apronolgy magzaine I got at JoAnn's.
Will post a photo when I get mine donenow you've got me thinking about it again.

Laurie in Bradenton

**Thevail** · 02-26-2009, 02:57 PM

You could take a large cotton sheet and sew them around the edges for a table cloth.

**perSue** · 02-26-2009, 03:00 PM

thanks Thevail - I like this idea.

Even better, i LOVE your profile pic! lmao!

**heartofmine** · 02-26-2009, 03:22 PM

perSue my mom takes old handkerchiefs, folds them in half, and then pinches toward the center to make them look like a butterfly. Then she puts them on a white square, pins them to it, and then she does a whip stitch embroidery around it. At the top she embroiders the little antenna of the butterflies. When she has all the squares done she then sews them together. She makes quilts as well as tablecloths out of them as well as taking single ones and making pillows.

You could also fold them into the same shape as the butterfly only adding at the top with other fabric a head and embroider hair and eyes on them and make angels.

Another idea is to take them and sew them to a flat white sheet measured to your bed and sew them along the sides and bottom of the sheet to make a pretty bedskirt.

They are pretty used in a bedroom as window toppers. I've done that in my son's room with the big red white hankies and blue white hankies. His room was a cowboy themed. I also made a matching cover for and old comforter as well as the bedskirt I described above.

**Nana2two** · 02-26-2009, 10:34 PM

I have around 500 and selling them on ebay. Someone i knew made a pretty valance out of bunch of the,.

**pollypurebred39** · 02-27-2009, 01:38 AM

You could always frame them. A few older frames (Big frames) of the hankies generation. They could line the sofa wall or over a bed, or even up a stairwell. That could be quite beautiful and they won't get ruined or further compromised that way.

**perSue** · 02-27-2009, 09:48 AM

Thanks everyone... I'm taking your ideas and seeing what I can do with them... i like the valence idea... I've decided ultimately on the tapestry for the larger handkerchiefs however... and I've found a sturdy, yet gentle backing and found a simple way to attach them.

thanks!!!

**Sara Noel** · 02-27-2009, 01:35 PM

here's another site with some ideas
http://www.nanaluluslinensandhandker...arentcat/19587

**PrairieRose** · 02-27-2009, 01:37 PM

Although it would only help with a few, I used some of mine in a china hutch I had to line and drape off the shelves, in a sort of 'scandanavian' type style. They looked really pretty and got lots of compliments on them.